Syrian insurgents Saturday attacked an air base and a military airport in the region of Idleb. According to reports, "the rebels took control for several hours the Air Defence Base of Douila after fierce fighting with regime troop," reported the Syrian Observatory of Human Rights (SOHR).

They seized weapons and ammunition before withdrawing when aircraft began bombing the area, said the organization. However, they left missiles too heavy to carry, and destroyed radars installed on vehicles, according to a video clip loaded to the internet by the militants.

Also in the Idleb province, the SOHR has reported "fierce fighting" in the vicinity of the Taftanaz airport, saying the rebels tried to take the base from where the helicopters take off to bomb nearby towns. At least one rebel was killed in the clashes, the source said.

The General Commission of the Syrian Revolution has, meanwhile, reported "the beginning of the liberation operation of Taftanaz military airport."A video posted by activists shows the Islamist Al-Nosra Front members, whose fighters are present on most fronts as participating in the attack.

The rebels concentrated their operations against the infrastructure of the Air Force to halt raids, which again Saturday killed nine civilians in villages in the province of Idleb, according to the SOHR.

In Douma, 13 kilometers north-east of Damascus, "the rebels took control Friday on a police station, the municipal building and a hospital, which was in the hands of the regime," according to the SOHR.

On Saturday, 12 people, including 10 civilians, were killed across the country, according to a preliminary assessment by the SOHR. Yesterday, 181 people were killed, including 61 civilians, 61 soldiers and 59 rebels, according to the same source.